Search the Collection

John ('John of Lancaster'), Duke of Bedford

(1389-1435), Regent of France and Prince; third son of Henry IV

Sitter in 2 portraits
The third surviving son of King Henry IV by his first wife, Mary de Bohun. He acted as Regent of France for his nephew, King Henry VI. When Henry V died in 1422, Bedford vied with his younger brother, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, for control of the kingdom. Bedford was declared Regent of France, his nephew Henry being heir to the throne of that country as well as to England. Bedford was an important commissioner of illuminated manuscripts. The three most important surviving ones are the Bedford Hours and the Salisbury Breviary, which were both made in Paris, and the Bedford Psalter and Hours of about 1420-3, which are English.

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

'England's Worthies. The Lives of the Most Eminent Persons from Constantine The Great to This Present time'

after Unknown artist
woodcut, published 1684
NPG D23930

John ('John of Lancaster'), Duke of Bedford

by George Vertue
line engraving, 1732
NPG D23780

Related People

Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester ('Good Duke Humphrey', 'Humphrey of Lancaster') (brother)
King Henry IV (father)
King Henry V (brother)

Places

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Tell us more

Can you tell us more about this person?

John ('John of Lancaster'), Duke of Bedford